Bifidobacterium animalis

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Bifidobacterium animalis is a Gram-positive anaerobic rod-shaped bacterium, which can be found in the large intestines of most mammals, including humans.

Bifidobacterium animalis and Bifidobacterium lactis were previously described as two distinct species. Presently, both are considered B. animalis with the subspecies Bifidobacterium animalis subsp animalis and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis.^[1][2][3]

Both old names B. animalis and B. lactis are still used on product labels, as this species is frequently used as a probiotic. In most cases it is not clear which subspecies is used in the product.

[edit] Trade names

Several companies have attempted to trademark specific subspecies and as a marketing technique, renaming the subspecies with scientific sounding names. Danone (Dannon) have claimed trademark status on the subspecies strain DN 173 010 and markets the organism as Bifidus Digestivum (UK), Bifidus Regularis (US and Mexico), Bifidobacterium Lactis or B.L. Regularis (Canada), Dan Regularis (Brazil) and Bifidus Actiregularis (Argentina, Austria, Chile, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Romania and Russia). Scientifically, the correct strain is identified as Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. animalis, strain DN-173 010.

Chr. Hansen Ltd from Denmark has a similar claim on the species Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, strain BB-12. It is marketed both as Bifidobacterium animalis and Bifidobacterium lactis, however, the true scientific name of the strain is Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis.

[edit] Health benefits

Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.

Both strains mentioned above are well studied and ample literature exists on the efficacy of these bacteria. Some recent references are stated below.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, strain BB-12:

• Effects of Bifidobacterium animalis Bb12 Supplementation on Intestinal Microbiota of Preterm Infants: a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Study. J Clin Microbiol. 2006 November; 44(11): 4025–4031.
• Adherence of Probiotic Bacteria to Human Intestinal Mucus in Healthy Infants and during Rotavirus Infection. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 2001 March; 8(2): 293–296.
• Innate mechanisms for Bifidobacterium lactis to activate transient pro-inflammatory host responses in intestinal epithelial cells after the colonization of germ-free rats. Immunology. 2005 August; 115(4): 441–450.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. animalis, strain DN-173 010:

• A fermented milk with Bifidobacterium probiotic strain DN-173 010 shortened oro-fecal gut transit time in elderly. Microb Ecology Health Dis,2001; 13: 217-222.
• Bifidobacterium animalis, strain DN-173 010 shortens the colonic transit time in healthy women. A double-blind randomised controlled study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2002; 16: 587-593.
• Bouvier M, et al. “Effects of consumption of a milk fermented by the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010 on colonic transit time in healthy humans. Bioscience and Microflora, 2001; Vol 20(2): 43-48.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Bifidus Actiregularis - A deconstruction of the terms Bifidus Actiregularis, Bifidus Regularis, Bifidus Digestivum, L. Casei Imunitas and their variants, as well as the marketing strategy, and information about the potential health benefits of live yogurts.
• Manufacturer's web page on the product
• Food-Info.net - How to select a probiotic